MANILA(Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 13, 2014) – Government officials have led the unveiling of new buildings at the Romblon Provincial Hospital which was constructed under the the Department of Health’s facilities enhancement program.
Health Secretary Enrique Ona with Romblon Governor Eduardo Firmalo, Vice Governor Jose Riano and Congressman Eleandro Jesus Madrona led the unveiling of the project in Odiongan town.
Ona said the objective of the Health’s Facilities Enhancement Program is to upgrade health facilities and provide training to health professionals, and at the same time improve access of people to quality health care services. It also aims to enhance the delivery of basic, essential, and specialized health services in the community.
Also inaugurated were the Romblon Blood Collection Unit and the Conference Hall.
The hospital was upgraded and modernized with an allotment of P138 million in 2010 and 2011 for Phase 1 of the project. It included the repair of the emergency room and intensive care unit, and the construction of a two-storey building for patients’ wards, surgery and obstetrics, out-patient department, x-ray and additional offices for hospital staff.
In 2012, it received an additional P118 million and and P140 million for Phase 2 of the project.
In his inauguration speech, Ona stressed that health is part of the major strategy for poverty reduction and inclusive growth which shall be felt by the poorest of the poor.
“Government hospitals are for the people and if one does not like to be admitted or confined in such facilities, then there must be something wrong. In short, whether it is a government or private hospital, it must be best for all – the services must be the same, the facilities must be, in terms of diagnosis and curative aspects, must be the same. This concept is affirmed today, that public hospitals are not dilapidated but presentable,” Ona said in a statement sent by the DOH to the regional newspaper Mindanao Examiner.
The Romblon Provincial Hospital is a Level 1 health facility, with a 75-bed capacity and a 63 percent bed occupancy rate. It is operated by the provincial government. Among its existing ancillary services includes a clinical laboratory for blood services, pharmacy, diagnosis, and x-ray and ultrasound services.
“We thank the national government through the DOH for supporting our health programs especially facility development which is a vital necessity for a geographically isolated and disadvantaged area like the archipelagic province of Romblon,’ said Firmalo, who is a medical doctor himself.
“One of our top priorities is health as embodied in our program H.E.A.R.T. – health, education and environment, agriculture, revenue generation, tourism, transparency and true public service – all for the people of Romblon towards sustainable and inclusive development,” he said.
Madrona was also elated that Firmalo managed to encourage private doctors to become consultants for Romblon’s hospitals.
“We need this kind of facility and we want our people to have the best health care through this facility towards a better life and we will support any measure that will increase the salary rates of our doctors,” Madrona said, who also assured that the funding for the Phase 3 of the hospital shall be appropriated in the 2015 national budget.
With a population of 289,867, Romblon is one of the provinces under DOH Region IV-B. “This hospital is the symbol of hope for the people of Romblon – proof of the Aquino administration’s commitment to the universal health care program for all,” said Hospital Chief Dr. Benedict Anatalio.
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